Growing Shallot in Australia: The Complete Guide
Shallot is an easy bulb & allium to grow, needing full sun with regular, taper before harvest watering.
Shallot is one of the easy additions to a home garden, and this article walks through everything behind our one-page printable guide in a bit more depth.
One bulb becomes a cluster
Plant a single shallot bulb and it divides into a cluster of 4–8 new bulbs by harvest — much like garlic, but staying together as a tighter clump.
How to Plant Shallot
Method — plant individual bulbs point-up, tip just below the surface. Soil — loose, well-drained. Timing — plant in autumn to early winter in mild zones.
Keeping It Growing Well
Keep these points in mind:
- Keep beds weed-free while bulbs establish.
- Water regularly, then stop 2–3 weeks before harvest.
- Feed lightly early in the season only.
- Watch for the cluster pushing bulbs above the soil surface as they swell.
What Can Go Wrong
Worth paying attention to:
- White rot — soil-borne; rotate beds for years if it appears.
- Onion thrips — silvery streaking; hose off or encourage predators.
- Bolting — cold snap after planting; plant at the right time.
- Rot in wet soil — ensure sharp drainage.
Picking and Keeping Your Harvest
Signs — tops yellow and fall over. Method — lift the whole cluster with a fork. Curing — cure 2–3 weeks in a warm, airy spot. Storage — cool, dark, ventilated. Keeps several months; save some bulbs to replant next season.
For the condensed, printable version of everything above, head to the main shallot guide page.